Voted world's number 1 DJ in 2001, Sasha played alongside Yousef, John Digweed, Seb Fontaine, Darren Emerson and Pete Tong at Newcastle's Telewest Arena during Radio 1's Love Weekend. To get us all revved up for an evening of class dance music Sasha joined us for a live chat. He told us how he got his first break, who his favourite DJs are, and revealed a liking for Abba...
Rob: What was it like closing the Love Parade last year?
It was probably one of the best moments I've ever had as a DJ and I only got to play five records in front of 200,000 people in the rain which was quite a moment for me. I`d actually got to play the main stage in Berlin.
Pete: Have you ever done Love Parade in Berlin or would you like to?
Yeah, yeah, that would be great, I don`t really play in Germany that often. I don`t know what happened I`d only played in Europe and Japan. I think that`s something I want to do in the next five years, play in Germany and Japan. I`ve never had a proper gig in Japan either.
Al: How are your ears these days? I read that you've had some problems.
They`re fine. It was a bit scary to go through but I got the all clear from the doctor before I started DJing again. I had a perforated eardrum, however 90 per cent of eardrums heal so I wasn`t worried it was going to be anything permanent. I had to stay at home and couldn`t listen to really loud music. I used the time to work in my own studio at home. I really tried to make sure it wasn`t going to have a negative effect on me. I missed the last night of Twilo and I missed Miami which were obviously very important gigs, but I spent a lot of quality time working on this mythical record I`ve been talking about for the last five years!
Joey: How was it having all that time off? What was worse, the boredom of 6 months without DJing or the thought of losing all that money?
There was no boredom because I used the time carefully. I spent a lot of time writing songs at home with just my piano and laptop. Of course I missed the Djing but I haven`t had a break for 10/11 years and it was good to take a step back and soak it all in. It's been a pretty mad life for the last 11 years and it gave me a chance to soak it up - instead of constantly travelling and gigging in the studio. So it gave me an opportunity to see how much I was missing and to realise how lucky I am to have this kind of life.
NewYorker: Are you ears insured?
I did try to get them insured but no-one would do it. Lloyds would probably do it, but as a DJ I can`t get them insured.
Frankie: How did you get your break?
Basically I was collecting records around the time of the Hacienda. I had about 50 records
in my collection. A DJ who played in a local pub in Manchester...he played decent house music and one night he announced he was looking for DJs, so I said 'yes I can DJ', though I`d not touched a turntable - I actually thought the pitch controls were the volume controls! After that I started doing little gigs round Manchester. When I moved into a flat with a Hacienda DJ I got proper gigs.
Ian: How do you feel when some young up-and-comer delivers a killer warm up set? Do you think "I've really got to up the ante here!"
You`re constantly kept on your toes by people like John Digweed, Danny Tenaglia, Lee Burridge and then James Zeblia. James is a great example because he started sending tapes in. He won the Bedroom Bedlam music competition and started sending tapes to the agency and I got to hear them and thought he had amazing taste in music. He keeps me on my toes!
It`s individuality that makes a difference. So many people play the same records and I get sent so many CDs with the same records. James' CDs were individual. He isn`t playing the kind of music you'd hear on Saturday night but playing interesting personal style and that`s the most important thing to have. I get sent so many records every week. There`s enough for each DJ to have their own sound. Some have favourite DJs and just imitate them. That`s why we took James on in the agency. He`s gone from graphic artist to working in Budapest, Helsinki and his life has been turned upside down in a great way.
Elle Maril: What has been your proudest moment so far?
There have been a few...first gig at the Hacienda meant so much to me because I`d gone to that club for 2 years and worshipped the DJ there. Securing the residency in Twilo in New York too. They weren't playing our sort of music and for me and John to go to New York and secure a residency at the most famous nightclub on the planet...previous DJs were legendary and to go there and create something part of New York night life was really really special.
Alix Graham What are your feelings about the closure of Twilo?
The worst thing about it was that I had to take time off because of my ear and didn't get to play the 4th birthday. When it closed down and it was like a friend dying and not being able to say goodbye to them. I'm going to miss playing in that room. The sound system there was phenomenal! I wish I`d had the chance to DJ there finally...
Les: Did you bid for anything at The Hacienda auction?
No. I knew about it in advance but on the day of the auction I was on a plane. I wanted to buy a girder that held up the dancefloor for my studio. I knew in advance but forgot on the day.
Indy Sharma: Is it true you created your own coat of arms?
No that was something dad did for my birthday a couple of years ago. Dad buys me weird, wacky and useless presents and that was his finest moment!
Dan Hipwell: Out of your 14 new tracks are any of them going to go to Madonna?
No. But, I've done a lot of work this year. The reason the album's not happened is because I talked of wanting to do an album 5 years ago but didn't know how to use a computer! It`s been a learning curve. I was working with an engineer and programmer and I assumed I could buy a computer and knock out records, but there was so much to learn. Now I understand
what's going on in the studio. My DJing has been my main priority but I've spent a lot of time on the album this year. I've got lots of tracks together and I think there`ll be music available by next year. No date yet, but I'm mixing tracks during the next few months. Until the start of October I'm going to be mixing down then I'm going on tour.
Richard Rajamogan1: Out of everyone you have collaborated with, who was the most rewarding for you to work with?
I`d have to say working with BT. I learned a hell of a lot from him, but in a way working with BT set me back a little as he does everything on his own and I convinced myself if Brian could do it I could. I didn't take into account that he'd studied at University and had so much knowledge. Someone who taught me the best attitude to music was Charlie May. He taught me so much - more of an attitude than technical stuff. His attitude to putting records together taught me a lot.
Kim Butler: Where do you derive your inspiration from when you are DJing?
I don't know it`s always the vibe in the club, the people, the atmosphere. You can`t beat that.
Martin: What has been your favourite era of music?
I guess acid house in 1988 changed my life completely.
Richard: So why the stage name? Where did it come from?
It`s my real name, short for Alexander. Russian short for Alexander. My mother was mad about Dr Zhivago and my father was into Russian authors. All my family call me Sasha.
Liz: What was your first mixer?
Something really awful that cost me £50 and was made by Citronic. My first set-up consisted of a normal record deck, I couldn`t afford two decks when I started out.
Michael Cundell: How does it make u feel knowing people think of you as their idol and look up to you?
Weird...it`s something that took me a long time to get used to...being put on the front cover of magazines. You have to laugh at it and take with a pinch of salt. People come and say the nicest things and it`s really flattering, but at the same time it`s very surreal. The main stage of Love Parade last year was one of those moments. Darren Emerson played his Scorchio record.
Craig Bibby: Do you still have the Vestax decks in the fish pond?
No I had to send them back! I don't want to get in trouble again but I don't particularly like using those decks and I had a bad experience using them last year. I couldn`t beat mix and I`d been sent a pair of decks to the house to get to grips with them before they installed them in clubs but I had no time to get used to using them. I turned up at Homelands and I`d never used them before. It was probably one of my worst nights as a DJ!
I came home from Homelands, opened up the box with the brand new deck and dropped it into the bottom of the pond. It kept the fish entertained!
Carwyn, Swansea: Have you any mad drunken tales - I hear you're a bit of a party animal?!
I am a bit of a party animal - I like the social side of the life that I lead. I've taken it
down a bit since I moved from London 3 years ago. I think the drunken tales are between me and the people I vomit over!
Sourcelab Sammut: What do you like to do away from music in your spare time?
I don't really have much spare time - I was working on my record for 6 months. My head
constantly seems to be thinking of music no matter where I am. I like to take holidays, scuba dive, and week by week I like to exercise and run round the hills near my house because it`s so beautiful - but I don't do enough of that.
Ed: Deep Dish have recently been quoted in the press as strongly disliking hard
house, while your friend John Digweed said he didn't know enough about the genre to comment about it during his recent web chat. What are your views?
I'm going to agree with both them. I dont really know enough about it but what I've heard hasn't really tickled my fancy. But the kids love it so it can`t be that bad.
Craig Bibby: Will there ever be "the restoration of Sasha in the North" again?
Yeah, I would love to find a club up North and do some residency but it`s about finding the right venue and the right people and finding a club I can control and be involved in and be comfortable. I miss DJing in Manchester. I played Cream for the first time a year ago and the reception was amazing. It made me realise how I miss being up North. I'm going to make sure I get there more regularly in future. It`s a different vibe up North. Now the crowds are fantastic in the south and I don't think there`s a north south divide. The reception at Cream was like a homecoming.
Kim Butler: When do you think you're too old to be a DJ?
I don't know, probably when the ringing in your ears gets louder than the actual music!
Andy Dj: Sasha please help a young person to be like you! Please give me some suggestions about equipment!!
Hmm, tricky. I would only choose Technics decks, they`re expensive but I`d pick those. A cheaper mixer seems to break and you should buy something with more quality. don't go for the latest fad, go for brands that are tried and tested.
Find out who Sasha's favourite Dj's are, where he likes to go clubbing and the worst mistakes he's made on the decks...
